Extendable specimen collecting device

Abstract

Disclosed is a specimen collecting device for collecting cell samples. The specimen collecting device has an extendible swab which can be extended and retracted during use. The extendible swab can also be inserted into the handle so that the samples can be stored, at least temporarily.

1 . A specimen collecting device, comprising:
 a handle;   an insertion piece comprising:
 a cover defining an interior, the cover configured for removable attachment to the handle at an attachment end; and 
 a swab telescopically positioned in the cover, the swab having a collection end opposite a body portion; the swab movable between an extended position for collecting samples such that the collection end is distal to the attachment end and a retracted position such that the body portion is enclosed within the cover; 
   an extending mechanism configured for extending the swab when engaged.   
     
     
         2 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises an extending end opposite the attachment end of the cover such that in the retracted position the collection end is located proximal to the extending end. 
     
     
         3 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 2 , wherein the extending mechanism is configured for extending the body portion outwardly and away from the extending end when the swab is extended from the retracted position to the extended position. 
     
     
         4 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 1  wherein the extending mechanism is further configured for retracting the swab relative to the handle when the extending mechanism is engaged. 
     
     
         5 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 4  wherein the extending mechanism is configured for at least one of retracting and extending the swab while the attachment end of the cover is attached to the handle. 
     
     
         6 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is rotatably attachable to the cover, and rotating the handle relative to the cover when attached to the cover applies a longitudinal force onto the swab relative to the cover, wherein the extending mechanism for extending the swab comprises a mechanism adapted to rotate the handle relative to the cover when the handle is attached to the cover. 
     
     
         7 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 1 , wherein the extending mechanism comprises one of a hydraulic pump, a battery operated pump, and an air-pressure pump. 
     
     
         8 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 7 , wherein the extending mechanism for extending the swab is activated by a button attached to the handle. 
     
     
         9 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 1  wherein the handle comprises an interior enclosure defining a channel extending therethrough and open at one end thereof, the channel configured for receiving at least a portion of the cover and the swab when the attachment end is detached from the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 1  wherein the handle comprises an interior enclosure and one open end leading to the interior enclosure, the extending end of the cover removably attachable over the open end of the handle for storing the collecting end in the interior enclosure of the handle for storing collected samples from collecting end of the device in the interior enclosure of the handle. 
     
     
         11 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 10 , wherein the attachment of the cover over the open end of the handle forms a seal for restricting at least one fluid and gas from exiting the interior enclosure of the handle. 
     
     
         12 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 10 , the cover further comprises a deformable material, wherein the deformable material is deformed when the extending end of the cover is attached over the open end of the handle thereby forming the seal. 
     
     
         13 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 1 , the collection end comprises a series of grooves for collecting specimen samples. 
     
     
         14 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 1 , the collection end comprises absorbent material for absorbing specimen samples. 
     
     
         15 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 1 , wherein the interior enclosure of the handle is insulated. 
     
     
         16 . The specimen collecting device of  claim 3 , the interior enclosure of the handle having a sterile interior surface. 
     
     
         17 . A method of collecting biological specimens using the specimen collecting device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 inserting the extending end of the device into an orifice;   extending the collection end of the swab from the extending end of the device;   obtaining samples with the collection end of the swab; and   retracting the collection end of the swab.   
     
     
         18 . A method of collecting biological specimens using the specimen collecting device of  claim 10 , comprising:
 inserting the extending end of the device into an orifice;   extending the collection end of the swab from the extending end of the device;   obtaining samples with the collection end of the swab;   retracting the collection end of the swab; and   inserting the collection end of the device into the interior enclosure of the handle.   
     
     
         19 . A specimen collecting device assembly, the assembly comprising:
 a handle; and   an insertion piece adapted for removable connection to the handle, the insertion piece comprising a cover and a swab located within an interior of the cover, the swab having a collection end adapted to collect the specimen;   wherein when the insertion piece is connected to the handle, the swab is adapted to move between an extended position for collecting samples such that a body portion of the swab is extended telescopically out of the cover and the collection end of the swab is distal to the handle, and a refracted position such that the body portion is enclosed within the cover.   
     
     
         20 . The specimen collecting device assembly of  claim 19  wherein the handle comprises a hollow interior configured for receiving the insertion piece for subsequent storage of the insertion piece and collection end when the insertion piece is detached from the handle.